Prehistoric basketry from southern Brazil: technological persistences and disruptions in historic times

Abstract

Perishables materials like fiber and wood were, as it seems, among the raw materials most frequently used by prehistoric peoples. According to Adovasio (1977), woven natural fiber technology, also called basketry, is preceded temporally only by lithics technology and cordage. In Brazil, rock paintings attest to its antiquity and importance in the everyday lives of prehistoric populations. However, an absence of in-depth studies on that technology can be observed in Brazilian archaeological literature. The prevailing tropical climate and deposition conditions in Brazilian archaeological contexts, responsible for the rapid degradation of organic materials, have been cited to explain this research gap. Even so, some sets of baskets and also pottery with basket impressions have been explored in the literature. Looking to fill that gap, here we conduct an analysis of the techniques used in the fabrication of basket samples from archaeological sites in Southern Brazil, and explore connections between those and objects made by contemporary indigenous groups that could evince potential long-term technological continuities. The assemblages discussed on this article come from shell mounds (Cubatão I and Espinheiros II, and a sample held by Museu Nacional, attributed by its collector to Southern shell mounds); from inland Santa Catarina (Alfredo Wagner Site), and a small set of sherds with impressions from the Taquara tradition. The results point to a homogeneity in prehistoric times of the closed twined technique with very tight weft in both coastal and inland areas. It seems that such technique is no longer employed by indigenous peoples living in those regions.